For the first time in what feels like forever, I can go outside without a jacket. Thank you, Mother Nature.

By the looks of things, I’m not the only one soaking in the spring sun. Women all around the world are baring their money-makers to make a statement. (You should all urban dictionary “breasts”… chesticles anyone?)

Femenis a feminist Ukrainian-based group who protest issues like sexism, religion, etc., by letting it all hang free. What better way to catch attention — show men what they would usually pay for either with dinner or at the strip club.

They’re definitely making headlines, for obvious reasons. And with their latest display against Islam — women all over the world are responding to Femen’s message.

I believe in the right to protest, to voice opinions. I do not believe I have to screw your morals to earn equality.

Feminism is an interesting concept — if we speak against sexism or discrimination, we’re feminists. But “feminist” is another label that segregates women from men. We’re not just men and women — we’re men, women and feminists.

It’s ridiculous that we have to be labeled as radical when compared to other women because we push for issues like equal pay and reproductive rights. Even in the Iranian culture, sons are “doodool-talas” (golden penis) and daughters are “torshideh” (pickled).

We live in a man vs. woman world when we should be living in a man = woman world. And while we may be progressing (slowly) toward the end goal on a national scale (I can only speak for the United States), we need to address equality on an individual level first.

No law will make an impact if the people think it’s BS.

Unfortunately, we’re not all naturally blessed with the mental capacity to believe in the obvious reasons for equal rights. But that means that we need to work harder to talk about it. We all have a voice and we deserve to share it.

When we shock people with our message, we lose the value of the words we’re trying to get across. Who’s reading our banners and listening to our chants when they’re staring at something else?

We don’t need to take off our underwear, we need to band together as equals.

Pay me what I deserve because of my experience and not because of my v*gina. I have the right to resort to Plan B. I vote because I have a unique voice. Don’t hit me because we disagree. Lines should never be crossed because I am not as strong as the person on top of me. Respect me because we are equal.